22 October 2016

The European Economic and Social Committee
(EESC) adopted an own initiative opinion that calls on the European Commission
to introduce an incentive that will “eliminate the abuses of irresponsible ship
dismantling through a system which creates added value in an end-of-life ship”.

SEA Europe, IndustriAll Europe and the NGO
Shipbreaking Platform join the EESC in supporting an incentive that will make
sure ships are recycled in a safe and environmentally sound manner.

“European ship recycling companies are
competitive with regards to sustainability and should be encouraged by an
enabling public policy that will push ship owners towards the use of these
facilities as well as enhance R&D towards more cost effective solutions in
Europe,” says Christophe Tytgat, Secretary General of SEA Europe.

The aim of a financial incentive is to make
sure that ship owners use the upcoming EU list of approved ship recycling
facilities and do not simply circumvent the EU Ship Recycling Regulation by
flagging out to a non-EU ship registry.

The EESC opinion supports a financial
incentive that recognises the responsibility of the ship owner through the
‘polluter pays principle’ and builds the cost of responsible recycling into
ship operating costs.

“The social and environmental impacts of
shipbreaking on the beaches of South Asia can no longer be viewed as an
externality and should be accounted for in shipping companies’ individual
accounts. Introducing a financial incentive at the EU level is feasible and in
line with established legal principles. It also brings with it the promise of
ensuring compliance with environmental and social standards aimed at improving
ship recycling conditions globally”, says Ingvild Jenssen, Policy Director and
Founder of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform.

Ensuring sustainable ship recycling fits well
with the EU’s aim of achieving a truly circular economy where valuable
resources are not only reused, but also recycled in a safe and environmentally
sound manner.

The EU list of ship recycling facilities will
function as an important market differentiator for yards that have already
invested in proper occupational health, safety and environmental standards.

“Shipbreaking on the beaches of South Asia is
considered by the ILO as one of the world’s most dangerous jobs. Incentivising
sustainable practices is necessary for the creation of decent jobs in the ship
recycling sector,” says Luis Colunga, Deputy General Secretary of IndustriALL
Europe.